Related Post
Spurs center Jakob Poeltl ‘is traded to the Raptors for a protected first-round pick and Khem Birch’ as Toronto gambles on soon-to-be free agent
The Raptors have taken the first step of their rebuilding process by reportedly agreeing to a deal for San Antonio Spurs center Jakob Poeltl, a 7-foot-1 Austrian whom Toronto hopes to re-sign this summer.
In exchange for the soon-to-be free agent, the Spurs will receiver a protected first-round pick, two second rounders, and center Khem Birch, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The trade has not finalized, but it is expected to be completed before Thursday’s deadline at 3pm EST.
While Poeltl is heading back to Toronto, where he played his first two NBA seasons, the Raptors are also reportedly looking to unload Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby – two key members of their 2019 title team.
The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor has previously reportedly that the Raptors have had discussions with multiple teams about the pair.
The Raptors have taken the first step of their rebuilding process by reportedly agreeing to a deal for San Antonio Spurs center Jakob Poeltl, a 7-foot-1 Austrian whom Toronto hopes to re-sign this summer
Drafted by Toronto out of Utah with the ninth pick of the 2016 NBA Draft, Poeltl has established himself as an efficient, if not overpowering, presence in the paint. Over the last two seasons, he’s averaged 12.9 points and 9.2 rebounds a game, while making 61.8 percent of his field-goal attempts.
His biggest weakness remains his foul shooting, where he’s made only 53.3 percent for his career.
Poeltl’s contract will expire after this season, but the Raptors are in 10th place at 26-30, so this trade was likely made with an eye towards signing him to a new deal.
Poeltl was originally traded to San Antonio in 2018, when the Raptors packaged the center and swingman DeMar DeRozan in exchange for Kawhi Leonard. Toronto would go on to beat the Warriors in the 2019 NBA Finals, but Leonard would leave for the Los Angeles Clippers as a free agent that summer.
While Poeltl is heading back to Toronto, where he played his first two NBA seasons, the Raptors are also reportedly looking to unload Pascal Siakam (right) and OG Anunoby (left) – two key members of their 2019 title team
